Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe says farmers need more government support and Quebec farmers would be better off without Canada.
During a presentation yesterday before the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Duceppe gave a passionate defense of his campaign to split Canada, but promised to keep working in Parliament to support farmers as long as Quebec remains part of the country.
He also said that when the House of Commons resumes March 3, the BQ will be pressing the government to set aside $625 million to cofund provincial programs in an agriflex fund.
However, his main theme was that Canada’s trend to larger farms and export dependence is at odds with Quebec’s support of smaller farms, supply management, local food, organics and Quebec standards.
“The bottom line for Quebec farmers is that they would benefit from being part of a Quebec nation,” said the long-time leader of the separatist BQ caucus in the Commons.
“Quebec and Canada do not share the same vision.”
CFA delegates then lined up at the microphones to tell him he was wrong, divisive and ill informed.
“I would have hoped you would have come here to speak of building rather than tearing apart,” said an emotional Jurgen Preugschas of Mayerthorpe, Alta., president of the Canadian Pork Council.
“Your comments indicate an extreme lack of knowledge of the country of Canada and I find it sad that you come to an organization like this that is working together to build an industry … and you come with your words of tearing everything apart. I find it extremely disturbing and upsetting.”
The room, having given Duceppe tepid applause, responded with an ovation.
“At least I am frank,” Duceppe responded.
He said Canadian and Quebec farmers share some interests but Quebeckers want their own country that reflects their values.
“We want to deal equal to equal, nation to nation.”
The BQ leader warned that while the Conservative government professes support for supply management, its continued support for a World Trade Organization agreement makes the commitment insincere.
New Brunswick francophone and Dairy Farmers of Canada president Jacques Laforge was next to the microphone, telling Duceppe that the Conservatives have been very supportive of supply management and that the system exists across Canada and not just in Quebec.
“We are not divided,” he said. “We are all in the same boat as agricultural producers.”
It was left to Quebec farm leader Christian Lacasse, president of the l’Union des Producteurs Agricoles, to make the most powerful statement. The UPA works closely with the BQ on agricultural issues and Duceppe pointed out that most rural Quebec ridings with significant farm populations vote Bloc.
“We are here as farmers from across Canada,” Lacasse said.
“We have issues that bring us together. I want you to appreciate that.”
He said as parliamentarians, Bloc MPs should work to improve policy for all Canadian farmers.
His fellow delegates applauded.
